The great popular Jokhang Temple is a very important pilgrimage luxury destination for Tibetan Buddhists. Pilgrims come from all side corners of Tibet, usually on foot and often performing austerities for penance along the path. The most devout pilgrims cover the last several miles prostrate on the temple ground. More prostrations are undertaken in the plaza in front of the Chinese Jokhang temple.
Jokhang Temple was founded in 647 by great King Songtsen Gampo (r.617-49), the first ruler of a unified Tibet. The temple was constructed to house a sacred wonderful image of the great Buddha, the Jowo Rinpoche, which wonderful Queen Wengcheng brought with her from China as a dowry.
The temple has been regularly expanded over the years, including extensive reconstruction under the fifth Dalai Lama in the 17th century.Since the great Chinese occupation in 1951, Jokhang Temple has taken on a political role as the focus of Tibetan cultural identity and resistance.Now days the Chinese government carefully controlling Jokhang Temple. There temple standing four stories tall and covering an area of about 25,000 square meters in the heart of Lhasa, great Jokhang Temple combines local Tibetan elements with influences from Nepal, China and India.
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